What is a ventriculoperitoneal shunt?
A ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt) is a device that is specially designed to relieve pressure on the brain in cases where there is too much fluid. A shunt is most commonly used to treat hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid collects in the brain, causing pressure and potentially leading to brain damage.
What are the symptoms of hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus, a condition caused by the excessive build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain's ventricles due to blockages, can lead to serious symptoms such as headaches, seizures, memory loss, poor coordination, and vision problems. If you experience these symptoms, remember that your health is in your hands. It's crucial to seek medical attention for a diagnosis, typically involving MRI scans to identify the areas of the brain with excess fluid.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is not just a translucent fluid but a vital protector that coats the brain and spinal column, safeguarding these delicate, intricate areas. Its role in ensuring overall health is paramount. It actively delivers nutrients to the spinal cord and brain, removes extra waste from the brain, and cushions these areas. However, a surplus of CSF can cause brain tissue damage and impact overall brain function, underscoring the importance of maintaining its balance.
Thankfully, a VP shunt is not just a treatment option, but a restorative solution that offers hope and a new lease of life for those with hydrocephalus. It effectively manages the surplus of CSF, providing relief and improving the quality of life for the patients.
How does the procedure work?
The VP shunt is inserted under general anaesthesia, and the procedure typically takes around ninety minutes. Your surgeon will make an incision behind the ear and drill a small hole into the skull through which a tube is inserted. This allows excess fluid to drain from the brain into other parts of the body, where it can be reabsorbed. The procedure is very safe and effective, but it is necessary to stay in the hospital for a few days after surgery so that the medical team can monitor your recovery.
FAQ:
While you're sleeping, your VP shunt operation will take place in the operating room. It will take roughly an hour to perform the surgery.
It takes three to four days to recover from a VP shunt placement.
A VP shunt has a two-year average lifetime.
I am a qualified neurosurgeon following my pre- and postgraduate studies at the University of Stellenbosch and currently have private practices at Netcare N1 City, which caters for the northern suburbs of Cape Town and Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital, which caters for the west coast of Cape Town and Western Cape.
Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital
Tel: +27 (0)21 554 0779 / Fax: +27 (0)21 554 2144
Email: bbhinfo@capeneurospine.co.za
Netcare N1 City Hospital
Tel: 021 595 4633 / Fax: 021-595 3446
Email: info@capeneurospine.co.za